<p>A long time friend that had previous financial dealings with me borrowed $5,000 from me. Because our previous financial dealings were successful, I trusted him. I gave him $5K all in cash because he said he needed the money urgently. Therefore, I have no official record of it. I realize this is a mistake but at the time I really trusted him as a "man of his word". Guess I learned my lesson now. </p>
<p>Anyway, it turned out he lost all the money in gambling and is in pretty poor shape financially. I asked him about the loan and he doesn't seem to want to return the money to me. He acknowledges that he owes me $5000 but won't return it to me "because there is nothing I can do and because I got no proof". </p>
<p>I want to know if I can secretly record a conversation with him that can prove I indeed loaned him the money. That way, I can try to sue him. But I understand it may be illegal to secretly record a conversation. But I can think of no other way that can solve the problem. Obviously, he won't admit it if he knows he's being recorded. </p>
<p>So what are my options? I figure even if I record him and get in a little trouble with the law, if I can get my money back it might be worth it. </p>
<p>Advices needed. </p>
<p>BTW, we are both college students so $5,000 is a lot of money to both of us. It's not to be taken lightly. </p>
<p>If I were you and you are intent on getting your money back, seek legal advice. I think you are going to get responses from layman lawyers on this site. </p>
<p>If there's nothing you can do you've definitely learned this lesson:</p>
<p>Always, always get everything in writing. In the court of law, you have to show the burden of proof. Right now it would be your word against your "friend's".</p>
<p>your a <strong><em>in idiot...i might be soundin like an *</em></strong><strong><em>...so *</em></strong>in what...you don't need no sympathy...like da poster above me,seek legal advice...hope you learned your lesson in life being accepted don't mean *** if your not respected</p>
<p>I don't actually know, but I'm GUESSING that it's not illegal to secretly record a conversation with him. If that's what it takes to prove it, that's what it takes. If you get in trouble for it, as you said, it'll be minimal. However, don't tell your friend "Haha I just recorded you and now I have proof!" until you know:</p>
<p>a) That there was a tape in the tape recorder
b) That the tape recorder was on
c) That it's sufficient quality
d) Enough was said that the amount, nature, and details of the loan are undisputable.</p>
<p>And for good measure, e) it wouldn't hurt if you got a physical threat from him worked in there! ;) Lol just kidding.</p>
<p>it's illegal to record someones voice and use it aganist them in court. however it is legal to videotape someone and use it in court without the voice.</p>
<p>How do you have $5k just floating around to lend? I never have close to that amount. But yea, I would seek some legal advice or you can just take matters into your own hands.</p>
<p>If you're in college I'm pretty sure you can get free access to legal services or at least get guidance so you can seek legal assistance yourself. This is definitely what you should try to do.</p>
<p>Ok, yesterday he came to me and begged me to borrow him $300 more. He told me he has a $20,000 check coming (he let me listened to his automated banking activity on the phone, which confirmed it) which he will use to return my money. He told me he was justing "joking" with me about not returning the $5000 because he wanted to get a "reaction out of me" which is "priceless" to him. He said $5000 and $5300 are all the same to him and he was bored that day and wanted $300 more to play blackjack.</p>
<p>Anyway, I told him I will go to the casino with him and give him the money at the casino. We went to the blackjack table. Before I handed him the money, I told him I will only borrow him the additional money if I write a note stating that he owes me $5000 and we both signs it and date it. So anyway, I borrowed a pen from the dealer and I signed it and he signed it. So this should be valid proof in court right? </p>
<p>I mean, since it was done at a blackjack table, it should also be on the casino camera right? So does that add to the strength of the proof? How long do casino keep their video footages? </p>
<p>Anyway, I was just tricking him and never gave him the additional $300.</p>
<p>LOL. You are such a retard. Get a lawyer and stop mucking around :) Not trying to be mean--what you did is hilarious! But seriously...stop playing games! This is serious money and I'm sure your parents would agree...they do know about this, right?</p>
<p>dood, this guy's taking you for a ride, get that cash back, then cut your loses and ignore that loser. he's a leech, and when he borrows the wrong money from the wrong people and doesn't pay them back, he's gonna learn a very hard lesson. take his ass to court, and make him learn it the easy way, not the way that gets his legs broken.</p>
<p>I think most likely at this point, he is joking when saying he won't pay me back. I mean, he did this type of thing before and always like to "********" with me. But we trusted each other with money in the thousands before and nothing bad happened.</p>
<p>Anyway, he loses $2000 a night at a casino and doesn't seem to care. I mean, he's the type of person who blows away thousands like they are nothing. He plans on playing multiple $3000 buy in tournament at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas this year so he HAVE money coming. Even he said it's not worth it to screw a long time family friend over "only" $5000.</p>
<p>But it's just that he always like to ******** with me that makes me nervous.</p>
<p>So I'm not at the point of hiring a lawyer yet. Beside, the legal fees would mean I don't get much back in my own pocket.</p>